By Nissar Hoath www.khaleejtimes.com
Guy Wolfensberger, managing director of Swiss-based Grove Boats, said on Thursday that he would meet RTA officials during the Dubai Boat Show in March and discuss the proposal.
“We have a plan for the RTA to provide solar power technology for the abras. We can provide the technology to replace the diesel engines with the solar power. With the technology, the traditional image and looks of these boats will not be affected. The solar-powered boats will also help protect the Creek’s environment as there will be no diesel discharge and no engine sound,” he told Khaleej Times at the fifth World Future Energy Summit (WFES 2012), which ended on Thursday.
Wolfensberger further added converting the boats’ engines will be easy, simple and cost-effective.
His talks with RTA officials will also include sales of solar-powered passenger ferries that can operate at the Nakheel and other waterways in the emirate.
He said similar talks are being held with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport officials to sell passenger boats for transportation around Yas and Saadiyat islands. He said officials have been visiting their 24-seater Aquabus 1050, which has been brought here for the WFES exhibition, and shown their interest in the boat. After the summit exhibition, the boat will sail to Dubai to take part in Dubai Boat Show in March.
“To secure a market share in the UAE, we are already setting up an office in Dubai, which will be the company’s regional hub. We already have 40 boats of different sizes with different features in Europe. Now our goal is enter the Middle East market with the prime focus on the UAE and other GCC states,” Wolfensberger explained. More info
